Tree Pipits, Sand Martins, Redstart...

Fairly calm, zero oktas. All birds NNW.


Vis.   0800-1200:

sand martin-       56

meadow pipit-    97

tree pipit- *          2  (1st 0910h, 2nd 1135h.)

siskin-                  3

linnet-                 17

'alba' wagtail-     1

wheatear-            5  (0910h. Northbound flock dropped from 20m to rest in tree for 10 mins pictured)

goldfinch             N/C but c100 NNW.

Vis. 1530-1730:



sand martin-       213**

goldfinch-            79

swallow-                3

reed bunting-        1


* I usually only note a few TP each year here (always vis.), so was pleased with these two early birds.

**A decent afternoon push of SM kept me interested despite lack of migrant raptors.. On average the martins flying higher than the morning's session. In larger parties too-- usually loose flocks of 5-15).


On the deck:

An early-ish male common redstart was hedge-hopping early on, melting NE.

Circa 900 pink-footed geese feeding on Colloway Marsh.

 Seemed to be a few new blackcaps in the wood including a female.



DH